Dr Seb Rumsby

Independent Scholar Fellow 2021-22

Behind the scenes at the nail salon: an ethnographic exploration into the everyday politics of undocumented Vietnamese migrants in the UK

This project will be the first ethnographic study of the everyday political economy of undocumented Vietnamese migrants in the UK. Foregrounding the agency, perspectives and lived experiences of research participants, I will use the ISRF to conduct pioneering research into how Vietnamese migrants navigate and respond to home office threats and state bureaucracy, informal labour and exploitation, changing gender divisions of labour and conflicts within the UK Vietnamese community.

More information

Areas of interest

International Development Governance Migration Religion Vietnam UK Migrant Labour

Cohort

ISF7

Biography

Seb is an interdisciplinary scholar interested in the lived experiences and everyday politics of international development, state governance attempts, migration and religious transformation. Having given a fascinating account of ethno-religious politics in upland Vietnam for his PhD, Seb is now turning his attentions to the plight of undocumented Vietnamese migrants in the UK. In particular, he is interested in the complex relationships of support, solidarity and/or exploitation and conflict between more established Vietnamese employers and their co-ethnic migrant workers.

Biographical details correct as of 18.09.24